TV-Series
Description
Heshikiri Hasebe is a major supporting character in the anime Zoku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru, taking on the essential role of the saniwa’s attendant or secretary sword. This is a position he treasures greatly, as it places him in close, trusted contact with his master and makes him the primary conduit for communication between the saniwa and the other swords living at the citadel.
As the personification of an uchigatana forged by the renowned smith Hasebe Kunishige, his history is deeply intertwined with one of Japan’s most famous historical figures, Oda Nobunaga. The very name Heshikiri, which means something like forced cutter or pressure cut, originates from a violent incident where an enraged Nobunaga used the sword to cut through a cabinet, killing a servant who had hidden inside. Rather than being a point of pride, Heshikiri resents this origin and the rash, temperamental man who was his former owner. Adding to this resentment is the fact that shortly after earning his fearsome name, Nobunaga gifted the sword to someone who was not even among his most trusted retainers. This feeling of being carelessly given away after being shaped by his master’s violent temper is a core part of his character, creating a deep-seated need for loyalty and purpose.
In sharp contrast to his complicated feelings for Nobunaga, Heshikiri Hasebe’s defining personality trait in the Hanamaru series is his absolute, unwavering loyalty to the current saniwa. He is portrayed as serious, dutiful, and extraordinarily dedicated to his master’s orders, a commitment that becomes a source of both admirable reliability and gentle comedy. He is the first to scold other swords for causing a ruckus or misbehaving around the citadel, and he takes his duty of relaying tasks from the saniwa with the utmost gravity. His devotion is so exaggerated that he often expresses a desire to be the master’s favorite, even volunteering for any task no matter how dirty or mundane. While he would never openly admit to this ambition, his actions constantly reflect a need to be seen as indispensable and completely reliable.
His role in the story goes beyond just delivering messages. He is shown overseeing the citadel’s daily operations, escorting teams to their missions, and looking after the swords as they recover from battles. For instance, after a mission where an ootachi sword gets stuck in a narrow hallway during a sortie, he takes it upon himself to inform the saniwa that such large swords are unsuitable for indoor combat, showing his practical, detail-oriented mind. One of the most revealing moments of his development occurs when the saniwa falls ill. Driven by his belief that homemade udon is the best remedy for sickness, he embarks on a grand adventure to prepare the dish from scratch. The flavor of his udon is identified as being from the Harima region, the home of the Kuroda clan, who were his later owners. This is deeply ironic given how frequently he speaks dismissively of the Kuroda, showing that their history is more a part of him than he would care to admit and revealing a subconscious link to his past he tries to reject.
Regarding key relationships, Heshikiri is often presented as a foil to other swords within the citadel, particularly Ookurikara and Shokudaikiri Mitsutada. His serious and devoted personality contrasts with their more laid-back or mysterious natures. He is also part of an informal group known as the Kurodagumi or Kuroda team, which includes Nihongou and Hakata Toushirou, as all three were once owned by members of the Kuroda clan. Despite this shared history, his attitude toward them is often colored by his own complicated feelings about the clan that received him as a gift from Nobunaga.
As an uchigatana, his notable abilities are those common to his sword type. He is a capable fighter, and his serious, forward-facing demeanor in battle makes him a reliable combatant. His design reflects his history: he has short brown hair and pale purple eyes, and his standard outfit consists of purple robes, white gloves, and armored sode on his shoulders. In keeping with the comedic, slice-of-life tone of the Hanamaru series, his most prominent ability beyond combat is his unwavering, almost obsessive commitment to his role, ensuring the smooth running of the citadel and the well-being of his master, who is the sole focus of his profound devotion.
As the personification of an uchigatana forged by the renowned smith Hasebe Kunishige, his history is deeply intertwined with one of Japan’s most famous historical figures, Oda Nobunaga. The very name Heshikiri, which means something like forced cutter or pressure cut, originates from a violent incident where an enraged Nobunaga used the sword to cut through a cabinet, killing a servant who had hidden inside. Rather than being a point of pride, Heshikiri resents this origin and the rash, temperamental man who was his former owner. Adding to this resentment is the fact that shortly after earning his fearsome name, Nobunaga gifted the sword to someone who was not even among his most trusted retainers. This feeling of being carelessly given away after being shaped by his master’s violent temper is a core part of his character, creating a deep-seated need for loyalty and purpose.
In sharp contrast to his complicated feelings for Nobunaga, Heshikiri Hasebe’s defining personality trait in the Hanamaru series is his absolute, unwavering loyalty to the current saniwa. He is portrayed as serious, dutiful, and extraordinarily dedicated to his master’s orders, a commitment that becomes a source of both admirable reliability and gentle comedy. He is the first to scold other swords for causing a ruckus or misbehaving around the citadel, and he takes his duty of relaying tasks from the saniwa with the utmost gravity. His devotion is so exaggerated that he often expresses a desire to be the master’s favorite, even volunteering for any task no matter how dirty or mundane. While he would never openly admit to this ambition, his actions constantly reflect a need to be seen as indispensable and completely reliable.
His role in the story goes beyond just delivering messages. He is shown overseeing the citadel’s daily operations, escorting teams to their missions, and looking after the swords as they recover from battles. For instance, after a mission where an ootachi sword gets stuck in a narrow hallway during a sortie, he takes it upon himself to inform the saniwa that such large swords are unsuitable for indoor combat, showing his practical, detail-oriented mind. One of the most revealing moments of his development occurs when the saniwa falls ill. Driven by his belief that homemade udon is the best remedy for sickness, he embarks on a grand adventure to prepare the dish from scratch. The flavor of his udon is identified as being from the Harima region, the home of the Kuroda clan, who were his later owners. This is deeply ironic given how frequently he speaks dismissively of the Kuroda, showing that their history is more a part of him than he would care to admit and revealing a subconscious link to his past he tries to reject.
Regarding key relationships, Heshikiri is often presented as a foil to other swords within the citadel, particularly Ookurikara and Shokudaikiri Mitsutada. His serious and devoted personality contrasts with their more laid-back or mysterious natures. He is also part of an informal group known as the Kurodagumi or Kuroda team, which includes Nihongou and Hakata Toushirou, as all three were once owned by members of the Kuroda clan. Despite this shared history, his attitude toward them is often colored by his own complicated feelings about the clan that received him as a gift from Nobunaga.
As an uchigatana, his notable abilities are those common to his sword type. He is a capable fighter, and his serious, forward-facing demeanor in battle makes him a reliable combatant. His design reflects his history: he has short brown hair and pale purple eyes, and his standard outfit consists of purple robes, white gloves, and armored sode on his shoulders. In keeping with the comedic, slice-of-life tone of the Hanamaru series, his most prominent ability beyond combat is his unwavering, almost obsessive commitment to his role, ensuring the smooth running of the citadel and the well-being of his master, who is the sole focus of his profound devotion.